Graphite oxide (GO)/Nafion composite membranes were prepared and used for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Membranes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which showed the distribution of graphite oxide sheets in a Nafion polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data (FTIR) for Nafion and GO showed vibrations at 3440 cm 21 which was attributed to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and at 1724 cm 21 ascribed to the CO stretching frequency. The proton conductivities of GO (4 wt%)/ Nafion composite, Nafion 212 and Nafion recast membranes at 30 uC and 100% humidity were 0.078, 0.068 and 0.043 S cm 21 respectively. The fuel cell performance of the GO (4 wt%)/Nafion composite membrane gave a maximum power density of 415 mW cm 22 at 0.390 V at 60 uC. At 100 uC a GO (4 wt%)/Nafion membrane fuel cell performance of 212 mW cm 22 was obtained which was much better than those of Nafion recast and Nafion 212 under 25% relative humidity.

No abstract

No abstract

Sulfonated polyether ether ketonesulfonated graphene oxide composite membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells have been prepared. Sulfonic acid functionalised graphene oxide nanosheets were incorporated into the sulfonated polyether ether ketone structure to interconnect the proton transport channels. The composite membranes were characterised by SEM, which revealed a uniform distribution of nanosheets into the polymer structure. FTIR showed the chemical interactions of functionalised graphene oxide with SPEEK membranes. Proton conductivity of the composite membrane was measured at various temperatures and relative humidities; the SGO/SPEEK composite membrane showed a very good conductivity of 0.055 S cm À1 at 80 C and 30% RH, which was greater than that of recast SPEEK which was about 0.015 S cm À1 . The fuel cell performance of SGO/SPEEK at 80 C and 30% RH was 378 mW cm À2 , which was higher than that of recast SPEEK.

No abstract